The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-10-26
Care of Poultry.

Care of Poultry.
One Of the greatest problems 10 be solS-
ed by the poultry keeper is how 10 make
the hens lay in the colder months, when
eggs bring twice as much az they do in
summer. There are two important fac
tors to success. and they are. first, 10 place
the fowls upon the same footing a. IN
summer, supplying them with warmth,
animal food and exercise and second. 10
pet a breed which has the reputation Of
being good winter iayers. FROM great
many breeds before the public, the best
all winter LAYERS have been decided TO be
the Plymouth Rock and Light Brahma,
and under proper conditions either cf
these breeds should supply the farmer
with dark brown eges during toe winter
To keep b. poultry-hoaye warm there
is nothing 20 cheap. and At tie same time
80 well suited % the purpose. as inside
lining Of tarred paper The cold and
frost are kept out, the paper serving also
a. protection against insects. Care
should be taken TO bank the house where
exposed. and il should be male as tight
a. possible compatible with suitable ven
tilation
The air in the hen house must be pure
and constantly renewed, as the ammonia
arising from the dropping and impurities
from the bird render it injurious to the
health Of the fowls iH very short time
Circular holes cut into the sides Of the
building, and sliding board arranged 50
they may be adjusted in mild or extreme
weather, make excellent veniilators
The house should be phitew.tshed; the
hay in the nests taken out occasionally
and replenished with new, and until the
first enemy met with in shutting up fowls,
lice, is overcome.
Ground Iobaece stems with small
quantity Of supencarbolate Of lime Is ex-
celieni a. an inSecticide scattered IN the
nests and about the house The lime i
very good by itself as a disinfectant,
little in the wbitewash bucket serving as
an additional safeguard.
For the summer time fowl Il given
range finds insects worms, plenty of green
stuff and gets sufficient exercise. In
winter the case il different: being con-
fined they must be supplied with those
articles necessary to health. TO feed
fowl, whether for fancy or for eggs, re-
quires great care. They must not be over
fed. a. hens will not lay if fat. Feed a.
much a. they will eat mp clean. Variety
in food adds greatly 10 the health Of
fowls and 70 the egg production, especial
lv in the cold months Good feeding of
fowls IN winter calls for large percent
ace Of cooked food. a bot breakfast
should always be given as early as posi-
bile. II should be warm and well cooked.
A good feed is made upof mash one
third corn and oats grounu together, one
third wheat middlings. one-sixth boiled
potato or any vegetable and one-sixth
boiled meat This served to the fowls
early will be eaten ereedily, and the hens
will feel in condition 10 commence lay
ing at once A little red pepper in this
early feed is good, and every other day
throw in some ground bone
The poultry should have green food
daily, a. steamed clover. rowen, cabbages,
chopped onions and beets. Onions are
considered the preventive Of the Group.
The best way 10 prepare rowen is 10 sim
ply put the amount to be used in barrel.
pour ON hot water and cover the barrel
up letting il sit for a couple of hours,
when il is ready for use The feeding
should be at noon At night give them
all the whole corn. wheat. oats and buck
wheat they will eat.
pile Of miliet straw with heads is
good thing for the birds 30 pick over. Civ
ing them exercise. Corn on the cob Is
good for this purpose. With some breed
ers it is a custom to scatter corn over the
floor of the houses. which for practical
purposes should be made Of screened
gravel, and then draw the earth lightly
over the corn with a rake, thus furnishing
a novel mode of exercise. A good winter
house should also have a shed which The
fowls can use in mild weather. avoiding
the necessity Of shoveling the snow out
Of the yard Ground oyster shells and
bone should be constan ~ at hand.
There Is nothing fowl likes as well as
dust bath. and coal ashel, road dust, or
dry earth are valuable. The road dust
and earth may be got in the early fall
and kept in barrels.
The winter quarters should have plen-
" Of Windows facing the south, as the
sun is valuable adjunct in profitable
poultry-keeping. Dampness should be
avoided, as it is conductive to Group and
many other diseases. The fowls should
have plenty of fresh water, and the pans
should be srupulously clean, as they are
apt te become slimy Care should be
taken to remove all cooked food not eat
en-, as sour feed is the curse of the poultry
yard. The droppings should be removed
as often as possible, and & properly taken
care Of will prove a valuable addition to
the profits, the amount Of guano being
estimated at y cents 10 fowl during the
year. The golden rules are care, feeding
and cleanliness. lmerican Cuifitutor